Italy has opposed the automatic extension of anti-Russian sanctions

The Prime Minister of Italy Paolo Gentiloni opposed the automatic extension of anti-Russian sanctions. About it reports “Interfax”.

“It is impossible to make all decisions related to sanctions, on autopilot,” he said, speaking at a press conference after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

The head of the Italian government stressed that Rome stands for a common position of NATO members and EU countries on this issue.

“We cannot work separately from each other, but our goal should be the unity of our unions and a serious discussion of how the situation in Ukraine,” Gentiloni said.

Restrictive measures against Moscow was introduced by the EU countries, USA and several other States in 2014 because of the entry into the Russian Crimea, and then in connection with the conflict in the South-East of Ukraine. In response, Moscow imposed a ban on food imports from most of the countries that supported anti-Russian sanctions.

The abolition of the restrictive measures, the West is linked to the implementation by Russia of the Minsk agreements — a package of measures to stabilize the situation in the South-East of Ukraine. The document, in particular, envisages a ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the contact line of the warring parties, and constitutional reform in Ukraine.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that is not a party to the conflict in the Donbass, and the responsibility for the implementation of the agreements lies on Kiev. Also in Russia emphasize that the process of reunification of the Crimea is fully consistent with international norms.